Window curtain guiding device with a ball bearing carrier and method of use

ABSTRACT

A window curtain guiding device includes a guiding body having a hanging plate to secure with a curtain, the guiding body further having a circular housing with an inner area; a rib to secure to the inner area, the rib having grooves; a left wheel seat and aright wheel seat, each having a rolling wheel, a spacer; and a connection; and ball bearings; the ball bearings are secured within the inner area, in between the left spacer and the right spacer; the ball bearings are secured within each of the grooves of the rib, thereby creating a gap between each of the ball bearings; and the right connection and left connection engage within the inner area.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to window curtain guiding systems, and more specifically, to a window curtain guiding device with limited ball bearing friction for smoother movement of a curtain.

2. Description of Related Art

Window curtain guiding systems are well known in the art and are effective means to support a curtain and allow the curtain to be opened and closed. For example, FIG. 1 depicts a conventional window curtain guiding system 101 having a curtain 103 engaged with a rod 105 via a plurality of rings 107. During use, the user opens and closes the curtain by movement of the rings about the rod. Many other curtain guiding systems exist within the art, however, all have downfalls.

One of the problems commonly associated with conventional curtain guiding systems is limited use. For example, some curtain guiding systems, such as system 101 are ineffective in hotel style settings, as the curtain is removable. Further, many systems have undesired friction, thereby making them difficult to open and close easily, smoothly, and quietly.

Accordingly, although great strides have been made in the area of curtain guiding, many shortcomings remain.

It is an object of the present invention to provide for a curtain guiding device that glides via ball bearing movement, wherein the ball bearings do not come in contact with one another, and therefore, the system provides for efficient, smooth, and quiet movement of the curtain.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a common curtain guiding system;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a curtain guiding device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the curtain guiding device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side cross sectional view of the curtain guiding device of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the method of use of the curtain guiding device of FIG. 2.

While the system and method of use of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the present application are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

The system and method of use in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional curtain guiding systems. Specifically, the present invention provides for a curtain guiding device, having a plurality of ball bearings configured to provide gliding movement, wherein the ball bearings are held at a distance away from one another to prevent frictional contact. These and other unique features of the system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The system and method of use will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the system are presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise.

The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art to follow its teachings.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 2-4 depicts an exploded view of a curtain guiding device 201 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that device 201 overcomes one or more of the above-listed problems commonly associated with conventional curtain guiding systems.

In the contemplated embodiment, device 201 includes a body 203 having a hanging plate 205 with one or more holes 207 configured to receive a curtain (not shown). A curtain can engage with the one or more holes 207 via hooks, clasps, rings, or the like. In addition, it should be appreciated that the body 203 can be composed of various materials and adapted to various sizes as aesthetical, manufacturing, and functional considerations require.

Device 201 can further include one or more protrusions 209 configured to prevent contact with an adjacent device. For example, a plurality of device 201 will be used to engage with a track (not shown), wherein the devices traverse the track and allow for the curtain to be opened and closed. The one or more protrusions 209 prevent the adjacent devices from getting tangled with one another and damaging one another as the user moves the curtain.

In the preferred embodiment, the device 201 further includes a circular housing 211 with an inner area 213 configured to house a rib 215. In the preferred embodiment, as better shown in FIG. 3, the rib 215 includes a plurality of grooves 301. This feature is believed novel and will be discussed in greater detail.

As shown, a left wheel seat 217 and a right wheel seat 219 are configured to engage within inner area 213 via a male connection 221 and a female connection 223. It should be appreciated that the connections 221, 223 can snap or otherwise engage to hold the two elements together. The left wheel seat 217 includes a spacer 225 and a rolling wheel 227. Similarly, the right wheel seat 219 includes a spacer 229 and a rolling wheel 231. It should be appreciated that the rolling wheels 227, 231 are configured to allow for the device to traverse via the track, as is common in the art.

In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of ball bearings 233 are secured between spacer 225 and spacer 229, within the inner area 213, and are held within the grooves 301 of rib 215, thereby creating spaces 303 between each ball bearing.

It should be appreciated that one of the unique features believed characteristic of the present application is the securement of the plurality of ball bearings 233 within the grooves of the rib. This feature ensures that the ball bearings do not come in contact with one another, thereby allowing for the movement of the device to be smooth, and substantially quiet.

In FIG. 5, a flowchart 501 depicts a method of use of device 201. During use, the components of the device are secured together in such as way as the ball bearings being secured within the grooves and being prevented from coming into contact, as shown with boxes 503, 505. A plurality of device 201 are secured to a track and a curtain is attached thereto, as shown with boxes 507, 509. The user can then proceed to open and close the curtain via the plurality of device 201, as shown with box 511.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A window curtain guiding device, comprising: a guiding body having a hanging plate and one or more holes configured to secure with a curtain, the guiding body further having: a circular housing with an inner area; a rib configured to secure to the inner area, the rib having: a plurality of grooves; a left wheel seat, having: a left rolling wheel configured to engage with a track; a left spacer; and a left connection; a right wheel seat, having: a right rolling wheel configured to engage with the track a right spacer; and a right connection; and a plurality of ball bearings; wherein the plurality of ball bearings are secured within the inner area, in between the left spacer and the right spacer; wherein the plurality of ball bearings are secured within each of the grooves of the rib, thereby creating a gap between each of the ball bearings; and wherein the right connection and left connection engage within the inner area.
 2. A method of operating a window curtain, the method comprising: providing a plurality of window curtain guiding devices, each of the plurality of window curtain guiding devices having the components of claim 1; securing each of the plurality of guiding devices within the track; securing a curtain to the plurality of guiding devices; and operating the curtain as desired. 